SB X-Gamer and Cambridge DTT2500 5.1 speakers

[HeeroYuy]

OK. Can anybody help me out?

I have a SB Live X-Gamer. I just ordered a Pioneer 105s DVD player (with S/PDIF out) and the DTT2500 5.1 speakers from Cambridgde. I have read several reviews that say the AC-3 sounds great with those and the SB Live, but my question is, do you have to have the Live Drive to use AC-3?? The Xgamer has no s/pdif out slot... which connects to the AC-3 port on the decoder of the speakers.

Bottom line question is can I get 5.1 AC-3 with my Xgamer and the DTT2500? Or do I need to buy the live drive accessory?

Thanks for your help and your screen space.

Heero Yuy

 

[pg22]

I have the X-Gamer & DTT2500 5.1 but I use my Dxr3 for 5.1 sound.

 

[HeeroYuy]

What do you think of the picture quality of the DXR3 VS software decoding?
I read a lot of posts from people saying that decoder cards are mostly pass-through and cause distortion of your monitor... Have you found this to be true?

 

[coolian]

The fuzziness you speak of only happens when you're trying to do something else while a DVD is playing on your monitor.

Brendan

 

[mirrorlake]

I am in the same situation, so free bump.

 

[pg22]

One thing I have never fulliy grasped is when people say software is better than hardware for decoding purposes. Before I share my opinion, let me detail my rig:


P3 800@1GHZ
256MB PC100-SDRAM
GeForce 2 GTS
21 inch Sony Trinitron Monitor
....and lots of other stuff.


(and fyi, I have tried software decoding on two other PC's)


First things first, the pass-thru cable that Creative supplied with the Dxr3 and their DVD drives is absolute crap. Depending on your resolution, it can look ok (640x800, 800x600) or unbearable (anything higher basically). But one thing people seem to mix up, and I assume because other people expalin it vaguley, is this is only for the desktop, not the movie itself. When using the dxr3, it's absolutely perfect. So basically, what I do is every time I watch a DVD on my PC, I plug in the pass through cable and then take it off when I'm done with the movie. It's a pain, but I refuse to watch my DVD's with software decoding. People say "If you have a fast PC it's just as good as harware". I'm starting to think those people have 15 inch monitors. And just fyi, I have the full version of PowerDVD, which many consider the best software DVD program out there (I've also tried WinDVD). But again, software just doesn't compare in my opinion.

cya

 

[Madcowz]

use the yellow digital miniplug, it will work fine with the DTT2500 as I'm almost 100% it uses digital passthrough sound just the same as digital din and spdif. So if you have that digital miniplug on your live! than just get a digital din to miniplug converter to plug it in through the digital-din in on your DTT2500 set. You can pick up the converter from creative... I heard somewhere that you can get it for free if you have the DTT2500, but I'm not so sure myself

 

[pg22]

yes, actually you can. Can't remember the address tho, so if you need it search their site for a telephone number.

 

[HeeroYuy]

I appreciate all your input guys.
I ordered the Sigma Systems Hollywood Plus EM8300 decoder card. That has S/PDIF out so I wont have any problems getting AC3 between that and the XGamers DIN port. My GeForce2 came with that PowerDVD, but youre right Id rather have the hardware card using 10% CPU than the PowerDVD using 90%.

So that will give me this system coniguration:
ABIT VA-6 with PII450 Slot1 and 96mb PC133 SDRAM
SB Live Xgamer
Pioneer 105s DVD
3D Prophet II GeForce2 GTS 32mb DDR
Hollywood Plus DVD Decoder
DTT2500 5.1 speakers

 

[pg22]

With a |337 system like that you're robbing yourself with that CPU!!!

 

[HeeroYuy]

<< With a |337 system like that you're robbing yourself with that CPU!!! >>



Well, my PII450 is plenty at the moment. I needed other things, like those speakers and DVD player before I went upping more money on a processor. A constant 100fps in Counter-Strike just hasnt convinced me to spend the $ on a CPU just yet. What I really need is a 19in monitor.
I was considering the LG Studioworks 995E. It will be a month before I buy one though, so I have some time to take suggestions first.

I appreciate the |337 comment.

 

[csharpie]

I am also having the same problem. I have a SB LIVE! value so I know I will have to upgrade. Does the SB LIVE! Platinum or better yet the SB LIVE! Platinum 5.1 have the S/PDIF out? Or do I need to take the route of getting a decoder card? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks